Stockton tips McIlroy for full set of Majors

Short-game guru Dave Stockton believes he’s become more of an adviser than an instructor to triple Major winning Rory McIlroy.

Stockton has been working in tandem with McIlroy’s long-time coach, Michael Bannon, since shortly after McIlroy’s 2011 Masters meltdown.

And the input of the now 72-year old Stockton reaped immediate dividends with McIlroy rebounding to capture the US Open by eight shots at Congressional where Stockton won the PGA Championship 35-years earlier.

Stockton was at Kiawah Island in 2012 where he had led the USA Ryder Cup winning team in the infamous ‘War On The Shore’, to witness McIlroy capture a second Major Championship.

However Stockton was enjoying a family holiday with his grandchildren on Victoria Island, just off the coast from Vancouver, when McIlroy claimed golf’s oldest Major.

“It was really fun to watch Rory win and I was really proud of him,” added Stockton.

“He showed that mental toughness, and I’ve always been a firm believer, and I know everybody says some player’s swings are better than others, but I just thought that Rory’s mental toughness and his preparation was just outstanding.

“Also there is no surprise and people keep asking me what have I been saying to Rory, and really I haven’t been saying anything about his stroke since before the Masters. Rory’s got even better because I was saying to him in Akron that I don’t think I am instructor and it’s now almost like I’m an adviser to him. Now you’re seeing a lot of good shots but in my opinion you are witnessing great mental toughness and I like that.”

And while Stocktonbelieves McIlroy can win later this week in Louisville, he has no doubts as well that McIlroy next April can become only the sixth player to win all four Majors.

“Rory’s got the toughest Majors out of the way and Augusta National now plays right into his hands because when you go to a US Open who could ask how do you prepare for a US Open or an Open Championship,” he said.

“But when it comes to the Masters Rory has the game and there’s no doubt in my mind he could go to Augusta next April as a four-timeMajor winner as Valhalla should ideally suit his game,” he added.